William Forsythe ‘changed the face of dance’

The celebrated choreographer, who joins USC Kaufman this fall, is honored in Chicago by his peers

Many of the brightest luminaries in American contemporary dance — including Glorya Kaufman, benefactor of USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance — gathered in Chicago to celebrate the work of renowned choreographer William Forsythe, who will join USC Kaufman as a faculty member in the fall.

The gala event held on June 1 marked the 37th season of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, which will begin an artistic and educational partnership with USC later this year. Robert Cutietta, dean of USC Kaufman and the USC Thornton School of Music, and Jodie Gates, vice dean of USC Kaufman, represented the university at the gathering.

Under the artistic leadership of Glenn Edgerton, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has become an influential force in American contemporary dance and a global ambassador for dance education. The company will devote its fall performance series to the choreographic work of Forsythe, who received the company’s artistic Spotlight Award.

Glenn Edgerton, Glorya Kaufman, William Forsythe, Jodie Gates, and Robert Cutietta, from left (Photo/Robert F. Carl)

Kaufman, who presented Forsythe with his award, noted that “it takes a truly remarkable person to create works that honor and appreciate history and tradition, while also propelling that art in new directions.” Edgerton said of Forsythe: “To put it simply, he has changed the face of dance.”

Innovative steps

Regarded as one of the world’s more innovative choreographers, Forsythe will serve as artistic adviser to USC Kaufman’s new Choreographic Institute.

We are all deeply committed to investing in the next generation of young dance artists.

Jodie Gates

USC Kaufman welcomes its first class of freshman students this fall, and beginning in the fall 2016, classes will take place in the state-of-the-art, 55,000-square-foot Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, which is under construction.

Beginning this academic year, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will begin an ongoing series of workshops, master classes, residencies and performances at USC Kaufman. The partnership will provide the USC dance community with unprecedented opportunities for artistic and professional growth.

“Bill Forsythe, USC Kaufman and Hubbard Street all have similar interests, and we are all deeply committed to investing in the next generation of young dance artists,” Gates added. “This is an exciting time for all of us to embark on this collaboration.”